by Jen Robyn
If only some of his friends hadn’t suddenly turned condescending.
Leaning his head tiredly against the windowsill of his room with closed eyes, Dominick sighed heavily. “What does one do in a situation like this?” he whispered.
“By Chavernos, you depend on your trusty dragon, of course,” came a deep voice in answer. “Must I teach that lesson to you a hundred times more?”
Unable to suppress a smile, Dominick raised his head knowingly, facing the familiar forest green eyes and bright blue scales of his faithful dragon ally. “Roderlin,” he murmured. “I might have known you wouldn’t hide for long.”
“Hide!” sneered the dragon, raising his head in disdain. “Loyal dragon allies are never far when you need them, as well you tend to forget.”
True enough, mused Dominick, gladdened anew at being gifted many years ago by their meeting. As a child, he’d been awed by the strong bond of friendship between his grandfather Chaos and the wise silver dragon Chaolyn. So much so, that at the age of twelve, the dragon had granted him the rare honor of being present with Chaos at a hatching of baby dragons.
An even greater honor was bestowed upon him that day, as one of the hatchlings took to him instantly, sparking the beginning of a time-honored kindred friendship that would last a lifetime. A rare and treasured gift indeed.
As pureblood dragons matured quicker than those of mixed breeding, and twice as fast as humans, in human form Roderlin looked the same age as Dominick when his human friend turned twenty-five. Around this time, Roderlin had surprised Dominick by returning from a journey with a female dragon, Alysadaria, who’d become his mate. Though a bit jealous at first, she’d quickly become good friends with Dominick as well, so despite their constant travels, the dragon pair often visited.
“I just found out what happened regarding that tiff with your friends at Lost Limbo, and also this betrothal plan of your grandfather’s,” Roderlin added quietly. “Chaolyn filled me in on the last.”
Dominick smiled weakly. “And what’s your verdict?”
“As to the betrothal, I applaud your actions. Chaos means well, but a forced marriage isn’t the best way to continue a family line.”
“Nor will I ever accept it,” agreed Dominick. “If I ever marry in this lifetime, it will only be for love.” His thoughts turned briefly to Julianna, smiling at the memory, before shaking his head to clear it. “Only for love,” he whispered.
“A wise decision,” said Roderlin. “As to your friends, may I inquire what the argument was about?”
Sighing heavily, Dominick explained the situation, relaying his meetings with Julianna, both now and from their initial meeting months ago. He also mentioned how she’d agreed to meet him again tonight. Roderlin listened patiently, only interrupting occasionally with a question or two. By the end of the explanation, the dragon nodded in understanding.
“Don’t take what they said too harshly. They meant no harm either. And regardless of their words, Alysadaria and I will always stand by you, since we know you to be more honorable than they’ve implied.”
Smiling wholeheartedly this time, Dominick patted his nose. “Thank you, dear friend,” he replied softly. “Now, where is ‘Lysa? I’m surprised she’s not with you.”
“Who says I’m not?” a light, mirthful voice called out from above. Leaning out the window to glance upward, Dominick grinned at the amused white dragon staring down at him, waving her talons.
“It’s a good thing we made the roof stronger,” he chuckled. “Otherwise, you might end up in Riff’s room again.”
“A pesky human, if ever I’ve seen one,” she sighed, moving swiftly to hover in the air beside Roderlin. “The way he’d complained that day, one would think he’dnever made a mistake in his life!”
All laughed at the impossibility of that!
Looking out towards the distant stars now winking into view against evening’s canvas, Dominick’s laughter faded. Earth was one of them in reality, even though he might not be able to see it from here. If only he knew just what to do about Julianna.
Maybe she didn’t realize the response she was capable of invoking in someone else. That Roger she mentioned certainly hadn’t given her any feelings of self-worth or esteem, so it might have left her feeling inferior to other women.
As if that were true! his thoughts retorted.
From just three days together, he’d seen so many sides to her: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, strength, passion, and a touch of mischief. Each one endeared him in its own way, although his body seemed all too certain sometimes which one it approved of best.
Such feelings aside, he decided he preferred the side of her that laughed and made comical quips to hold her own. It was quite a change over some of the women he’d known. Most were either reluctant to talk, or laughed to cover their lack of intelligence, and while these might be fine as temporary paramours, they weren’t the type he wanted to keep seeing.
Julianna was different. There was something intriguing about her, although part of him wondered if it was more due to the chase. Once he’d quenched his desire for her, would he then think of her as the rest, as merely a fond memory? For some reason, the mere thought left a bitter taste in his mind.
“You’re thinking of that girl again, aren’t you?” Roderlin asked knowingly.
Dominick nodded once, briefly explaining the situation to a curious Alysadaria this time. “I don’t want to hurt her,” he said softly. “Even though we’re supposed to meet tonight, maybe it would be best for her if I don’t return in her dreams anymore.”
Alysadaria’s ears perked up. “After all you’ve told us and Chaolyn of her, you’re giving up so soon?”
“Why not?” he sighed. “She’ll forget me quickly enough if I end our association now, and it’ll avoid hurting her later. For whatever reason, she’ll believe that she’s cleared her mind of me, and go back to her normal dreams.” Staring at the stars, he continued, “It’ll also get Buddy and Jarissa off my case.” Although I’d sooner sever ties with them than lose Julianna, his thoughts added silently. “It’s the perfect solution, worthy of a guardian angel.”
“Maybe so,” agreed Roderlin, with a chuckle, as he joined his companion in the air. “But remember, you’re a full human, and by no means one of their kind. Even Buddy is no saint, in case you’ve forgotten.” Dominick couldn’t help smiling slightly at that. That all was certainly true, especially with he himself being a descendent of Chaos.
“If your preoccupation with that girl over your two month separation is anything to judge by, Dominick,” the dragon continued, “I’d say you’d best think twice before leaving her for good. After all, there is something to be said for finding the right companion.”
“Aye,” agreed Alysadaria, with a mischievous grin. “It’s too bad I’m still searching for mine.” As she flew off with a laugh, Roderlin bid Dominick a quick farewell before following her with an irritated reply. Dominick smiled after them, mulling over what they’d said.
It was a good thing Chaos hadn’t overheard it.
Not that the elder man couldn’t be reasonable about some things, such as in his attempts to expand one of his multiple abilities—the rare ability to fully maintain the age of his choosing. He was currently working on a magical device to harness this power to grant a similar ability of longevity to his loved ones, so as not to lose them as swiftly to time. He theorized it might even be possible to extend the range to encompass the entire island, but he’d cross that bridge later.
This was what Chaos would consider a reasonable endeavor.
However, there was one most undeniable fact regarding Chaos in Dominick’s mind as to what both he and his father Discord would say over his continual meetings with Julianna.
For true to reality, Chaos would never see reason here, and Discord always followed suit.
His mother Warp might see things differently though. Sometimes hard to contact, since she was a teleporter who adored visiting the outer regions of Chav
ernos whenever possible, Dominick couldn’t help wishing she was here now. Although she didn’t approve of his meeting women in the dream-state either, and especially the very long distant category, there were times when she’d inquired if he’d met anyone he was truly interested in. Time and again, he’d denied this.
Dreams were one thing, but reality was another.
Some gaps just couldn’t be bridged.
She might like Julianna though, he found himself musing. His mother could hold her own in a verbal dispute when angry, much like Dominick’s long-distance Earth companion, and never hesitated to stand up to her husband or sons when called for. Yet Warp would more likely be fond of Julianna simply because she was an intelligent and amiable woman. The kind that could charm the sternest guardian devils to rest... or unrest!
And unrest would remain within him unless he went back to find his dream companion again. Maybe it was desire solely from the chase, but right now, it wasn’t something he had the will to fight.
His dragon friends were right.
Come what may, he had to keep his promise to see Julianna again this night, and although he most certainly wouldn’t force her into anything as Buddy and Jarissa seemed to think, neither was he about to give up easily.
Shutting his eyes at the thought, a smile crossed his face as he wondered what strange dream they’d end up in this time. And then, he considered lending a hand in selecting a suitable one for their nightly rendezvous. This time, one without spaceships or squads of officers to bother them.
*****
“Ooof!” gasped Julianna as her enthusiastic nephew pounced onto her bed, narrowly missing her. Dropping her book, she gave him an amused smile. “And just what are you doing here at this hour?” she asked mischievously, tickling Sammy once.
“I want a story, Aunt Julie,” he laughed, looking up at her with his brown eyes shining.
Julianna glanced quickly at her clock. It’s after nine-thirty, and way past this little guy’s bedtime, she thought, amazed he was still up. But as always, she could no more refuse her nephew than if he’d been her own child. A fact she doubted greatly ever to see, hence she was determined to make the most of things with Sammy.
“All right,” she agreed. “But then, off to sleep.”
“Okee dokey,” he said, jumping into her lap.
Laughing a bit at the phrase he’d picked up from her over the years, Julianna proceeded to tell him a story about a knight who sought to vanquish a terrible creature that dwelled just outside his kingdom. Naturally, no one could defeat this creature, until the knight received a gift from a beautiful sorceress that saved the day, enabling him to slay the creature. She went on to say that the knight married the sorceress and they surely lived happily ever after.
Sammy’s quiet snoring ended the tale!
Carrying the sleeping child back to his bed, Julianna was unaware that she was being followed by an invisible—yet familiar—presence.
Dominick gaped upon first arriving at Julianna’s house, seeing the child she held as she told him her story. Is this child hers? he wondered in partial irritation. She’d certainly never mentioned having a son before, let alone the boy’s father she’d been involved with, if not Roger.
He was also bothered due to her falsely having him believe her innocent, when she apparently couldn’t be as much so as he’d thought. She’d told him repeatedly of her lack of association with men, yet if this was true, then where did the child come from?
Despite his surprise over this news, he couldn’t help but notice the affection she lavished on the boy, between cuddling him as she told him her story and kissing his forehead now as she gently covered him with a blanket.
Even after she left the room, Dominick lingered to gaze upon the boy, finally deciding that it didn’t matter. If the child was hers, then he was fortunate indeed, even if his father had been too blind to realize it. And admittedly, the boy was a cute little one, he thought with a fond smile.
Just before an unfamiliar male voice rang out from the hallway, soon joined by Julianna’s, draining Dominick’s pleasant thoughts to nothing instantly.
Eyes narrowing, he left the child to float towards the direction of their voices, halted by a sight that chilled his blood. Although he missed the first part of what was said, Julianna was talking to an older man. Much too old for her! he decided absently, catching the tail end of their conversation.
“...fortunate to have such a loving husband,” he heard Julianna say with a smile. “I’m sure your son in there will take after you in that respect someday.”
“Not for many years yet I hope,” laughed the man. “Considering how restless he was during our vacation, I’m just glad we’re home again, since your imaginative stories always seem effective in putting that energetic tyke to bed.”
“Well, thank you,” she replied, with a blush.
Smiling back, the man leaned forward to hug her, bestowing a quick kiss upon her cheek. “Julie, you must be tired yourself. Why don’t you head off to bed while I make sure Sammy isn’t sneaking in some prehistoric wars in the dark with those toy dinosaurs of his?”
Julianna nodded once, afterwards returning to her room. Her brother-in-law Jerry certainly doted on his only child, although perhaps that last fact might change if he could convince her sister otherwise as he hoped. A discussion which would have to wait until his wife and Vicki got back from the late night movie they’d gone to see an hour ago.
As she shut the light and got into bed, she had no idea that a certain man was scowling at her in the darkness.
A man who now gazed upon her with the pain of betrayal, shaking his head against the apparent duplicity of her nature. He’d seen others betrayed by women of her type before, but never thought he’d succumb to one himself. Growing increasingly angrier at the thought, he vanished with an unmistakably wry look filled with silent intent.
*****
Darkness encompassed Julianna as she walked through a foggy atmosphere beneath the full moon. According to her friends, that type of moon always signified that people would be acting strange on nights like this. Perhaps not to the point of becoming werewolves—although maybe there were a few—but strange people lurking about nonetheless.
Wonderful thoughts to carry in one’s mind late at night!
Well, it didn’t matter, since she wasn’t far from her castle. Maybe it wasn’t the most elaborate one in the world for a sorceress of her caliber, but then again, she was only one person and saw no need for a monstrous museum of a home.
Her shimmering lavender satin gown swished about her feet, hugging each and every curve like it was part of her, covered by several gossamer veils of blue, green, and violet which deemed her a sorceress. Drawing her fur-lined, midnight-black cloak closer, she shivered slightly. The night air was crisp, even if it wasn’t altogether freezing.
Fortunately, her castle shouldn’t be far now, since she’d walked this path countless times during the day. Yet for some reason, perhaps due to the darkness, her castle was still hidden from view. She could only hope the lunatics in the kingdom, influenced by the full moon, weren’t prowling about just yet. Not when she knew she was so close to home.
As she picked up her pace, a sudden ice-filled voice froze her.
“What’s your hurry, lady? Afraid of night creatures?”
Julianna whipped about to see who dared address her so, even as she knew instantly without seeing his face. What she wasn’t expecting was the cold unfathomable look in his eyes as the silver rays of the moon shone upon him.
Yet it was him, as she now remembered hearing him say before that he’d meet her here. “It depends on the type, I suppose,” she answered. “Are you referring to evening night creatures, or chivalrous knight creatures?” At his continued silence, she took it to assume that he hadn’t caught her pun, yet at the same time, she felt the uneasy need for caution.
Something was wrong.
Has the full moon gotten to him too? she wondered.
&nbs
p; After an uncomfortable pause, he replied, “Why should that bother a sorceress, when she can weave spells?” And lies! his angry thoughts added, barely containing the words.
“You know, I nearly forgot that. Thanks for reminding me.” Her attempt to break the ice only met with more silence. “So,” she continued lightly, “since I’m the local sorceress around here, have you decided to play my resident knight in truth?” Hoping to rekindle his former easygoing manner from their earlier meetings, she flashed him a smile.
She was surprised when he didn’t return the gesture.
“Truth?” he exclaimed, striding forward with folded arms and a forced smile. “Ah, yes, let’s speak of that for a moment. I find it a most peculiar word to be coming from you, since deception seems more fitting.” She wanted to protest, but his eyes stopped her with their cold amusement. Yet beneath this... was that a look of pain in them as well?
“You seem to understand deception as well, since you’re not acting like yourself at all,” she replied, resting one hand against his arm. He flinched from her touch as if singed by fire. “What’s wrong, Dominick?” she pressed, more quietly. “I thought you wanted us to meet again, or weren’t you the one who asked me?”
He considered her words for a moment before laughing without humor. “You’re right. It was my idea, wasn’t it? Well, no matter, after this evening you’ll never have to worry about that again, since tonight is good-bye.”
“Good-bye?” she whispered in confusion. “But why? I don’t understand. I thought...”
“You thought I’d never notice your web of lies that you’ve tried to ensnare my sympathy with, lady,” he sneered, hissing the last. “But those self-same lies have managed to tangle you up in them as well.”
“Lies?” she protested, a touch of irritation in her own voice now. “Since when have I ever lied to you? Or have you forgotten it was you who played the mystery stranger lately?”
“No!” he interrupted. “You’ll not continue to cuckold me with your false innocence.” A weak smile creased his expression. “I thought I understood you once, Julianna. I believed your words of unhappiness and loneliness, and I wasn’t going to rush things with you. I even considered leaving you forever, since I thought you deserved better. But now...” He gave a forced laugh. “To think that you were so easily lying to me, and I’ve just been wasting my time with you. Well, no more, lady. No more. Tonight the charade ends once and for all.”